Michael's Closes, Choosing the Good Life Instead

Scarsdale residents weren't thrilled when Michael's, a town fixture for decades, closed its doors.

But they might be consoled by the news that a new gourmet tenant is set to re-open the doors at 13 Spencer Place, and it will continue to sell some of the same sandwiches and cheeses that made Michael's a local favorite.

Good-Life Gourmet could replace Michael's in our hearts -- and stomachs.  Soon to be the third outlet for Chef Eric Korn's personal catering, Good-Life Gourmet will open in June.

"Good-Life Gourmet is a very accessible gourmet sandwich shop that also serves soup, salad and take-home dinners," said Bill Primavera, spokesman for Good-Life.

One neat feature for busy parents or young professionals: Customers will be able to text their orders for take-home meals from their cars or train commutes.

Korn is a graduate of the French culinary Institute, and his business offers high-end catering to other communities in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Good-Life Gourmet will still sell some of the local favorite sandwiches and rare cheeses, but not the gift baskets, cold cuts or the specialty items that were available from Michael's. 

On the bright side, Korn's family dinners may be more than you expect, with items like pan-seared goat cheese polenta, with shitake mushrooms, roasted garlic mushroom sauce and an arugula pesto; seared duck breast with a spicy cherry lime reduction sauce and a sautéed dandelion; and red cabbage salad with tangerine dressing, and salt and pepper trout with sean sprout, cherry tomato and roasted corn salad.

It's not takeout, it's personal cheffing, and the concept is not everybody can afford to have a chef on staff. It's high-end food that can be ordered on short notice.

The owners have a system in which they meet with customers and discuss things like food allergies and taste preferences.

Good-Life's services are part of a growing trend aimed at certain living situations -- empty nesters, young professionals who haven't developed their own culinary skills, and parents of children with dangerous food allergies.

Not all Scarsdale residents are keen on seeing a local favorite disappear in favor of a trendy new business, but they wish the owners of Michael's well.

"If they're happy with their decision to sell, I'm happy for them," said one customer who described himself as "a regular for 34 years."

"I wish they had told me so I could have said goodbye," said another frequent customer, "but I also would like to welcome Chef Eric to the area and wish him well in his endevors."

To see some of Eric Korn's work, log on to: http://www.good-lifegourmet.com/